Friday, June 17, 2011

The Dispatchers of Simple Gifts and Minor Miracles

You get back in this life what you give? This is such a common belief for many, but if there truly is that kind of balance, I cannot fathom what I have done to deserve the people in my life who have been the conductors of small but miraculous and healing events.

Just in the past two weeks:

• There was the check that unexpectedly arrived in the mail, a generous, kind and timely gift sent with concern by someone who is very special.

• There was the beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered on Saturday. The card said “Dear Marie, I wish I could give you a big hug but I’m afraid my arms don’t stretch as far as the U.S.” From a dear, warm hearted friend in the U.K.

• There was an opportunity to volunteer and help some out of work people with their resumes, thanks to a networking referral by a thoughtful colleague. It got me out of the house and into the real world for a little while. This was better for me than for the people I coached.

• There was a freelance writing opportunity, again referred by a friend.

• I was evaluated on Monday to determine what kind of new power chair I needed. The price quote was $25,000. My insurance coverage is $2000. I mentioned this sardonically on Facebook, that it was laughable and unachievable. I instantly received a message that a friend was going to make some calls. Her next message was that she knew of someone who would be willing to give me their never used power chair. For nothing; no charge. I mean within minutes of me posting that note. And indeed it was so. A brand new, pristine chair from a lovely woman I have never even met. My son gave up his afternoon to pick it up for me.

There has been no burning bush, no parting of the Red Sea, no turning water into wine (although I would quite like that), but little miracles none the less. Small marvels that have a profound impact on my life, both the quality and the outlook.

Ok, on second thought, maybe the chair was a pretty big one.

Now, I am only related to two of these people and one is by marriage. Yet every one of them went out of their way to make sure I obtained something I needed. Or something I didn’t even realize I needed. And then, when I thanked them, they demurred and indicated I was special to them in some way.

My cousin-in-law is a very, very good man, a savvy, no nonsense business person, but generous and thoughtful. He has been so kind to me. Talking to him the other day he said “Blood is thicker than water.” Incredible irony, as we are not blood relatives. So I believe the saying needs to be revised: Blood flowing through a loving and giving heart is thicker than water. The sweetness of these people is a mystical thing to me. It is not just about my needs. Their caring spirits are healing to all of us in proximity to them. Their goodness and generosity of spirit cannot be contained.

This has not been limited to the past few days, my friends are remarkable year round. And then there are my readers, who also make such a huge difference in my life. I have a list of both a mile long.

My miracle purveyors this week have simple and ordinary names: John, Marylynn, Jane, Phyllis, Louise, Lisa, James. But that simplicity is misleading. They and others like them are the power that drives goodness through this world.

Fabulous

Origin

Welcome to Nourish: living, laughing, whining. Here is a blog where you will find encouragement, boring stories and, best of all, self-pity!

Yikes, what a journey this is!! Who needs to do it alone?!? And without laughing?!?

This started out as a blog for weight loss support, to nourish ourselves as we slimmed down. ha ha ha ha Ok, at least for me, that didn't happen. But lots more did, so I started writing about that instead.

Now in my posts I consider how it helps to have a sense of humor while exploring life. Although it is still important to take care of ourselves physically and emotionally. Don't forget that.

This site was inspired by the brilliant ideas and input of many dear friends.

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About Me

I am a 60-something writer and I spend much of my time pretending I don’t have Multiple Sclerosis. I have limited success at that. Unfortunately, life did not think MS was quite enough and I am also fighting Stage Four breast cancer. The rest of the time I write, I read, I knit, I sew. I obsessively watch documentaries about the British Royal Family. Ok, just kidding about that last one. Sort of. It’s NOT obsessive.
I am an inveterate Anglophile. I am grateful for my children, for my grandchildren and for my many, many wonderful friends. I think vodka is underrated as a coping mechanism. I adore my little dog. I wish I could marry Dick Cavett, Conan O’Brien and Bruce Springsteen. But not at the same time. I realize two of them are out because they are already married. I thought that still left Dick. But I just found out to my dismay he is taken as well. Sigh. Further proof you can't always get what you want.

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Encouraging Quotes

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. --Mark Twain